A Friendly Message to Angry Motorists
#1
Thread Starter
Guy on a Bike
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 249
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From: C-Bus
Bikes: Chromoly Univega with Nexus Hub
A Friendly Message to Angry Motorists
I got kinda tired of having people honk the crap out of their horns at me.
Just made up some little laminated cards with magnetic tape. I'll post one on the next car who blows by, honking away. Here's the text
Dear Motorist:
Based on your lengthy honk earlier, I am led to believe that you were resentful of having to travel behind myself, a slow commuter cyclist. I do understand that the 5 seconds which you lost traveling behind me were very precious to you, and am sorry that they were wasted. However, I think you should know that I and other commuter cyclists are extremely resentful of the fact that automobiles such as yours are responsible for filling the atmosphere with outrageous amounts of carbon dioxide, inducing global warming, and effectively destroying the planet for all of our children.
They're easy to make, I suggest trying it.
Just made up some little laminated cards with magnetic tape. I'll post one on the next car who blows by, honking away. Here's the text
Dear Motorist:
Based on your lengthy honk earlier, I am led to believe that you were resentful of having to travel behind myself, a slow commuter cyclist. I do understand that the 5 seconds which you lost traveling behind me were very precious to you, and am sorry that they were wasted. However, I think you should know that I and other commuter cyclists are extremely resentful of the fact that automobiles such as yours are responsible for filling the atmosphere with outrageous amounts of carbon dioxide, inducing global warming, and effectively destroying the planet for all of our children.
They're easy to make, I suggest trying it.
#2
Trans-Urban Velocommando
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 2,400
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From: Lenexa, KS
Bikes: 06 Trek 1200 - 98 DB Outlook - 99 DB Sorrento
My prayers are with your family in their time of loss. You could have been a lot less harsh, you are going to get squished the second time they see you.
#3
cyclepath
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 3,550
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From: "The Last Best Place"
Bikes: 2005 Trek Pilot 5.0, 2001 Specialized Sirrus Pro, Kona Lava Dome, Raleigh hardtail converted to commuter, 87 Takara steel road bike, 2008 Trek Soho
Originally Posted by ax0n
My prayers are with your family in their time of loss. You could have been a lot less harsh, you are going to get squished the second time they see you.
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"Without music, life would be a mistake."
-- Friedrich Nietzsche
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"Without music, life would be a mistake."
-- Friedrich Nietzsche
#5
Trans-Urban Velocommando
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 2,400
Likes: 0
From: Lenexa, KS
Bikes: 06 Trek 1200 - 98 DB Outlook - 99 DB Sorrento
It's not around here I'd be worried about.
MO Bike Federation has the ability to look up addresses for MO Motorists by license plate, and they will mail a letter to the owner of the vehicle that was reported. Their letter is a bit nicer.
https://mobikefed.org/motoristcontactletter.html
MO Bike Federation has the ability to look up addresses for MO Motorists by license plate, and they will mail a letter to the owner of the vehicle that was reported. Their letter is a bit nicer.
https://mobikefed.org/motoristcontactletter.html
#6
Originally Posted by TreeUnit
However, I think you should know that I and other commuter cyclists are extremely resentful of the fact that automobiles such as yours are responsible for filling the atmosphere with outrageous amounts of carbon dioxide, inducing global warming, and effectively destroying the planet for all of our children.

He'll counter by complaining about the elevated amount of water vapor coming out of your mouth due to biking.
#7
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 11,373
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From: Columbus, OH
Bikes: '08 Surly Cross-Check, 2011 Redline Conquest Pro, 2012 Spesh FSR Comp EVO, 2015 Trek Domane 6.2 disc
Condensed version:
"We know the horn blows. How 'bout the driver?"
"We know the horn blows. How 'bout the driver?"
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"I feel like my world was classier before I found cyclocross."
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#9
Videre non videri
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,208
Likes: 4
From: Gothenburg, Sweden
Bikes: 1 road bike (simple, light), 1 TT bike (could be more aero, could be lighter), 1 all-weather commuter and winter bike, 1 Monark 828E ergometer indoor bike
Originally Posted by chephy
Laminated cards? Nah... I prefer U-lock through the window. 

#11
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 14,277
Likes: 3
Wear headphones and blast them at a high volume. Problem solved.
Either that or do what another poster said last week. Ride around saying to yourself that someone is going to honk at you. Sooner or later you will become impervious to sir smallshrinkydinksinahurry's impatient horn blast for costing him 2 seconds.
Either that or do what another poster said last week. Ride around saying to yourself that someone is going to honk at you. Sooner or later you will become impervious to sir smallshrinkydinksinahurry's impatient horn blast for costing him 2 seconds.
#13
How 'bout -> "this time it's a laminated card on the car, next time it might just be a few .45cal rounds through the driver..... be nice to cyclists"
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"Surely one can love his own country without becoming hopelessly lost in an all-consuming flame of narrow-minded nationalism" - Fred Birchmore
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#15
I wouldn't do it because it would make me seem like a weenus. but that's just me.
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"Think of bicycles as rideable art that can just about save the world". ~Grant Petersen
Cyclists fare best when they recognize that there are times when acting vehicularly is not the best practice, and are flexible enough to do what is necessary as the situation warrants.--Me
"Think of bicycles as rideable art that can just about save the world". ~Grant Petersen
Cyclists fare best when they recognize that there are times when acting vehicularly is not the best practice, and are flexible enough to do what is necessary as the situation warrants.--Me
#16
No Talent Assclown


Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Southern US :(
Bikes: 1984 Ciocc Designer '84, Custom Columbus EL Keith Anderson -- Ultegra/DA 10sp mix, 2019 Trek Checkpoint AL All-arounder
I'd have to agree there. ^^^ If I made one it would just say "Learn to drive"
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Fällt der Pfarrer in den Mist, lacht der Bauer bis er pisst.
Fällt der Pfarrer in den Mist, lacht der Bauer bis er pisst.
#17
Videre non videri
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,208
Likes: 4
From: Gothenburg, Sweden
Bikes: 1 road bike (simple, light), 1 TT bike (could be more aero, could be lighter), 1 all-weather commuter and winter bike, 1 Monark 828E ergometer indoor bike
Realistically, though, most of the time, I think the drivers are simply scared and worried. I don't get honked at a lot, but when I do, it's usually obvious that I'm an unexpected object and they feel a need to alert me, probably mostly to make sure I'm aware of their presence.
I used to be pretty generous with the finger in the past, but now I just let it be. If they have a problem with me, they have the problem. I don't improve things by making it my problem as well...
I used to be pretty generous with the finger in the past, but now I just let it be. If they have a problem with me, they have the problem. I don't improve things by making it my problem as well...
#18
Ex-Lion Tamer
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,152
Likes: 0
From: Brooklyn, N.Y.
Bikes: 1982 Lotus Legend (steel-frame touring bike); 1982 Fuji S10S (converted to a singlespeed: 46x16); Specialized Crossroads hybrid (the child taxi).
I admire your effort, but I am reminded of Diane on "Cheers." Some might see that as an insult, but I'm betting you'd take it as a compliment.
The tragic part is that drivers imagine themselves as cool renegades, cranking their tunes in their Boxes of Individuality. Your note would only confirm their self-image.
What we need are pop-cultural images that depict car drivers as aßholes. You know how in movies, the guy with the British accent is always a villain? That's what we need for cars. We need images of cyclists in films who are heroic rather than comic. A protagonist with a bike in a movie — like "I Love Huckabees" or "40-Year-Old Virgin" or "Rushmore" — is likely to represent a futile struggle. Unfortunately, movies are made in Hollywood, where the car is God. We need to counter that. We need to make a cool bike movie.
So, uh...get right on that, O.K.?
The tragic part is that drivers imagine themselves as cool renegades, cranking their tunes in their Boxes of Individuality. Your note would only confirm their self-image.
What we need are pop-cultural images that depict car drivers as aßholes. You know how in movies, the guy with the British accent is always a villain? That's what we need for cars. We need images of cyclists in films who are heroic rather than comic. A protagonist with a bike in a movie — like "I Love Huckabees" or "40-Year-Old Virgin" or "Rushmore" — is likely to represent a futile struggle. Unfortunately, movies are made in Hollywood, where the car is God. We need to counter that. We need to make a cool bike movie.
So, uh...get right on that, O.K.?
#20
Ex-Lion Tamer
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,152
Likes: 0
From: Brooklyn, N.Y.
Bikes: 1982 Lotus Legend (steel-frame touring bike); 1982 Fuji S10S (converted to a singlespeed: 46x16); Specialized Crossroads hybrid (the child taxi).
Fixed, not derailleured.
(I own the copyright on that. In case.)
(I own the copyright on that. In case.)
#21
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,298
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From: Brazos River valley, south central TX
Bikes: 2015 Scissortail hardtail MTB, 2013 XL Longbike USS recumbent, 2010 Hans Schneider steel randonneur road bike, 2005 Surly LHT;
Knock on wood, knock on wood, knock on wood...
I've not been honked at by a motorist yet...but the dualie pickumup trucks and muddy Pontiac TransAms that come up behind me love to roar by as though the idiots behind the wheel have got something special in their foot pressing the accelerator...
Besides, I'm 220#, 6' 5" and geeked out as an Old F*rt riding the biggest bike they've probably ever seen. My seat is up at the same height as most of their roofs so what are they going to do, mess wid' de ol' guy?
I DO like the idea of a paste-on card. But in composing your message, remember that if someone is too stupid to know the law or drive correctly, they are unlikely to be able to read sentences longer than twelve words or words longer than eight letters...
I've not been honked at by a motorist yet...but the dualie pickumup trucks and muddy Pontiac TransAms that come up behind me love to roar by as though the idiots behind the wheel have got something special in their foot pressing the accelerator...
Besides, I'm 220#, 6' 5" and geeked out as an Old F*rt riding the biggest bike they've probably ever seen. My seat is up at the same height as most of their roofs so what are they going to do, mess wid' de ol' guy?
I DO like the idea of a paste-on card. But in composing your message, remember that if someone is too stupid to know the law or drive correctly, they are unlikely to be able to read sentences longer than twelve words or words longer than eight letters...
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centexwoody
They're beautiful handsome machines that translate energy into joy.
centexwoody
They're beautiful handsome machines that translate energy into joy.
#22
Videre non videri
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,208
Likes: 4
From: Gothenburg, Sweden
Bikes: 1 road bike (simple, light), 1 TT bike (could be more aero, could be lighter), 1 all-weather commuter and winter bike, 1 Monark 828E ergometer indoor bike
Originally Posted by bike2math
^ Exactly. James Bond needs to ride a Rayleigh on his next mission. I'm not saying it can't shoot missles, or have skis pop out from the downtube, but it should be peddle powered.
Put Bond on a bike, and you can be sure that his enemies will have an armed chopper ready to take off from a nearby rooftop, and we'd have something like the Indy scene above...
#24
Trans-Urban Velocommando
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 2,400
Likes: 0
From: Lenexa, KS
Bikes: 06 Trek 1200 - 98 DB Outlook - 99 DB Sorrento
Originally Posted by CdCf
Realistically, though, most of the time, I think the drivers are simply scared and worried. I don't get honked at a lot, but when I do, it's usually obvious that I'm an unexpected object and they feel a need to alert me, probably mostly to make sure I'm aware of their presence.
Then she peeled out and took off going about 65 on a 40 MPH road.
Most of the honks I get are either friendly meepmeeps (from people who honk whenever they see me, and I wave back) or they're these excessively long get-the-****-off-my-****ing-road-mother-****ing-bike-guy honks.





Short and sweet!
